The news article that I read did not quite call it voodoo, but they did suggest that Chi, Taiji, Qi Gong, and traditional Chinese medicine all had an element of folly or were unsubstantiated. In class last night I referred to working on the spiritual aspect of Taiji, grounded in my belief that the universal energy of Chi is moving in and around us. We awaken, work with and flow thru this intangible concept daily. I trust my feelings and senses and consider Chi very real. Do you know that feeling?
It starts mechanically. You move your body, your breath and engage your mind to activate the tingling fullness that is the best indicator of Chi flow. Rub your palms, then hold them as though they cradle a soft ball. Pull the hands like you are stretching taffy. Do you feel the energy moving between the palms, lightly resisting the separation of the hands?
Stand in what Yoga practitioners call Mountain Pose; feet shoulder width apart and grounded to the earth. Breathe the hands palm up, until over head where you can reach for the heavens. Connect the rooted feet with the elevated hands and try to find the lightness of heaven energy swirling around the heavy earth energy that keeps you from floating away, and you have started the rotation of the Yin/Yang circle that is the symbol of balance. It may be a mythical concept, but to me it is a very real feeling and goodness knows we all welcome balance in and around us!
Traditional Chinese medicine and the system of Meridians or energy paths through the body is not substantial enough to dissect or see under a microscope. It is a different concept than muscular, circulatory or nervous systems, yet these energy lines move through the same areas. You do not feel your blood flow or the nerve impulse that moves from your brain to the itch in your finger, but you know that it happens. Similarly, if your mind can conceive and connect with the vital energy that is Chi, it will support you and all the needs of your body.
It just requires that you awaken and work with it. If you practice good health, try connecting your mind to your energy center in your lower abdomen. The Chi harbored there is believable, so take a moment, a minute or any amount of time from your day to realize it. Daily effort is vital to life. Qi, vital energy, and Gung, effort, can be one your most real and important habits. Make the time, or join a group and you may find that Qi Gong is the best element to your fitness, balance and well being.